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  Degree Completion Enrollment (DCE)

DCE is a Princeton status conferred by the Graduate School to Ph.D. students who have not completed their degree within the department’s normal program period (either four or five years, as specified by the department and the Graduate School).  DCE is NOT an immigration status.   Students may be enrolled for an additional two years beyond the regular enrollment period in DCE status.  Students in DCE status may extend their F-1 immigration status as specified below.  For further information about DCE status, please refer to the Graduate School website and the DCE Handbook. 

All students who will be granted a DCE status as of July 1/September 1 (and whose I-20 will expire as of June 30/August 31), will need to apply for an extension of F-1 status and be issued a new I-20 for the duration of the DCE period.  Because your F-1 status will effectively end on June 30/August 31, if you will be in DCE status, you must apply for a new I-20 PRIOR to the end date on your current document.  Once the expected completion date of an I-20 (found in item 5 on the I-20) has expired, it cannot be extended.  If you fail to apply for an extension in a timely manner, you will either need to apply for Reinstatement to student status or travel and re-enter the U.S.

I-20 Extension Procedure and Follow-up